When and where does the
Town Commission meet?
The Town Commission
meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7 PM in Jarvis Hall, 4501 Ocean Drive
(adjacent to Town Hall). The first meeting of the month is a roundtable session, where no formal Commission action is taken. The second meeting is a regular one where ordinances are adopted and the public is allowed to speak. Special meetings and workshops are scheduled on an as-needed basis. All Commission
meeting agendas are posted in Town Hall and on the
Town’s Web site. They are also listed in Town Topics and
posted on Channel 78. The Commission takes a break in August. Meetings in September usually
cannot be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the
month, because they are not allowed to conflict with
Broward County's public hearings on the County budget.
Are members of the public
allowed to attend meetings?
Does the Commission ever
meet outside of the public?
Yes. On rare occasions,
the Town Commission – to discuss pending litigation or
legal strategy – may meet with the Town Attorney and
Town Manager in private. These “Shade Sessions” are
announced beforehand publicly and are held after the
Commission first opens the meeting in public. Since most
of the discussion involves litigation, it is closed to
the public as allowed under Florida statutes.
How do I learn what’s on
the Town Commission agenda?
The Town Commission’s
agenda is available in Town Hall on the Friday before
the upcoming meeting. The agenda and back-up material is also posted on the
Town’s Web site. Copies of the agenda and related
back-up material are also available in Jarvis Hall during
the meeting.
Can I speak at regular Town Commission meetings?
Yes. The Town Commission
holds public hearings on all proposed ordinances.
Members of the public are also allowed to speak during
the Public Comments portion of the meeting. Residents
must sign up beforehand. Public Comments lasts for 30
minutes. A limited number of names are randomly selected
by the Town Clerk. During Public Comments, members of
the public can address the Commission for up to three
minutes.
Can I speak at Commission roundtable meetings?
No. The Commission
holds roundtable meetings so it can freely discuss issues at length in a less formal setting. To help make the roundtable sessions move along faster, public comments are limited to regular, workshop and special meetings.
How often are Town
Commissioners elected?
Town Commissioners serve four-year terms. The Mayor's term is for two years. Since Commission terms
are staggered, the Town holds an election every two years. The Mayor and four Commissioners are elected
at-large. Commissioners, however, run for specific seats
and must reside in District 1 or District 2, which
divide the Town’s voters into almost even north and
south areas. To qualify to run for the Town Commission, you must
reside in Town for at least six months prior to the
election.
When are the next municipal elections and what seats are open?
2014 Election
Mayor
North: Vice Mayor Scot Sasser – Commission Seat 1
South: Commissioner Chris Vincent – Commission Seat 2
What if I have a question about running for election?
For more info
about seeking elected office,
call the Town
Clerk
at 954-640-4200.
